Spade-step.



J. A. BELKNAP.

SPADB STEP.

APPLICATION FILED 1113.15, 1912.

Patentedv July 30, 1912.

fforneys cDLuMmA PLANOGRAPM 0..w^SH1NuToN, D. c.

JOHN YA, BELKNAP. or ANAMOSA, IOWA.

SPADE-STEP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patente d July '30, 1912.

Application led February 15, 1912. Serial No. 677,725.

To all fr0/tom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN A. BELKNAP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anamosa, in the county of J ones and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spade-Steps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to agricultural implements and more particularly to a step attachment for spades.

An object of the invention is to provide a detachable double spade step which may be readily positioned and held upon a spade of ordinary construction without the use of screws, bolts or the like.

Another object is to provide a detachable spade step attachment for spades and the like which may be securely held in position by the lower end of the handle and the ferrule cap around the lower end of the handle, said handle and cap pressing against the attachment.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter set forth and pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a spade with my detachable step .secured in position. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the spade, step, handle, sleeve and ferrule cap, and, Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section through the handle, sleeve, ferrule cap and step with the step held in position upon the spade by the parts shown in section, the view being at right angles to Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 represents the detachable step which may be formed of any suitable material such as pressed steel and is of substantially U-shape form in cross section. The step is provided with a suitable central opening 2 to accommodate the upwardly extending tapered projection 3, over which the handle 4 is engaged. The step attachment ,1 is positioned upon the shoulders 5 of the spade to form a fiat step to either side of the handle 4 and is held securely in position by the handle 4 and sleeve 6 pressed against its upper face around the lcentral opening 2 and by the ferrule 4cap 7 around the lower end of the handle 4 and sleeve 6. The cap 7 has its lower edge turned under at opposite sides, as shown at 8, for engagement beneath the lower ends of the handle 4 and sleeve 6 against the opposite sides of the shoulders 5, said turned under portions 8 resting within the central opening 2 of the detachable step 1.

It will be understood that the step 1 may be curved to conform to the shape of the spade, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. It will also be evident that this detachable step may be readily secured upon various types of spades and the like and will be rigidly held in position without the use of screws, bolts or any other securing means passed therethrough and into the spade or handle.

It will be seen that the front and rear depending portions of the step 1 are widest at the center and taper toward the ends to meet the horizontal portions of the step and that the central opening 2 is of such form and size as to accommodate the turned under portions 8 of the ferrule cap 7, allowing said turned under portions to be engaged against the opposite faces of the shoulders 5, directly below the tapered projection 3. The ferrule cap 7 and sleeve 6 may be tapered, if desired, to assure a tight fitting of the sleeve 6 within the cap 7, thus preventing turning of the handle 4 independently of the spade and step 1.

Owing to the simple formation of this spade step it will be evident that the same may be manufactured and applied to spades and the like at an extremely small cost.

What I claim as new is 1. The combination with a spade having shoulders and a handle receiving projection, and a handle, sleeve and ferrule cap engaged over the handle receiving projection; of a detachable step positioned over they shoulders and around the handle receiving projection, said detachable step being held in position by the handle, sleeve and ferrule cap engaged against its upper face.

Q. The combination with a spade, spade handle and ferrule cap around the lower end of the handle; of a detachable double step positioned upon the spade between a portion of the latter and the lower ends of the handle and ferrule cap and held in position upon the spade by said handle and ferrule cap.

3. The combination with a spade and a AIn testimony whereof I have signed my spade handle with a ferrule cap positioned name to this speeiiication in the presence 10 therearound; of a deta'ohxble (lollbl sep of tWo subscribing Witnesses. positioned between the spa e an t e an le having the ferrule cap positioned theie-V Y JOHN A' BELKNA-P around, said step being engaged and held Witnesses: in position by the ferrule cap around the W. F. HELLBERG, handle. E. K. RAY.'

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of }.;a.'cen1:ra Washington, D. G. 

